Need help identifying

[NICK BUTLER]

Hi everyone.

This is my first time posting into one of these forums so apologies if this is not the correct place for this. I purchased what I thought was a black belt cichlid (Veija maculicauda) when it was a juvenile. I am now in a predicament as I want to find a male to breed it with but it has changed its colouration and stripes and now looks much more like a Redhead cichlid (Veija sinspila) or a Quetzal cichlid (Paraneetroplus synspilus). Hopefully you guys are able to help with identifying this. I have attached the best photo I have of her.

Cheers
Nick

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Without knowing the history of this fish it would be very hard to give a positive Id.
It does not look like a true black belt to me. I also agree that it looks a lot more like synspilum/melanura.
The trouble is with veija of unknown origin ,if you look at one long enough you will see traits of other veija in it.
In conclusion, it looks more like synspilum /melanura than anything else but you will never truly know.

 

[NICK BUTLER]

Without knowing the history of this fish it would be very hard to give a positive Id.
It does not look like a true black belt to me. I also agree that it looks a lot more like synspilum/melanura.
The trouble is with veija of unknown origin ,if you look at one long enough you will see traits of other veija in it.
In conclusion, it looks more like synspilum /melanura than anything else but you will never truly know.

No problem. I think that is what I narrowed it down to as well. I see what you mean about looking at them too much though as the features are so similar. Hopefully I can determine the correct one before purchasing.
Thanks for your help Stanzzzz7

 

[duanes]

I agree with Stanzzzz7, that without knowing the province of a cichlid, there is really no way to be sure what it is.
The distinct bars in the mid section on back toward the caudal, combined in with the red in the entire frontal area make it look more like the true V fenestrata I had, compared to the vieja melanura, or maculicauda I've also kept.
That said, in these days of random hybridization, its impossible to be sure.

 

[MzY]

I need help please the fish i have is it black belt cichlid??